California Water Service Group (CWT) vs Global Water Resources (GWRS)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
California Water Service Group (CWT) has outperformed Global Water Resources (GWRS) over the past year, losing 2.0% versus a loss of 24.2%. Over five years, CWT leads with a -25.6% price change compared with -53.4% for GWRS. California Water Service Group is the larger company by market cap ($2.82 billion vs $235.0 million), about 12.0 times the size.
On valuation, California Water Service Group trades at a lower forward P/E (16.6x vs 62.8x for Global Water Resources). Global Water Resources offers the higher dividend yield (3.75% vs 2.79%).
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CWT | GWRS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $45.60 | $8.16 |
| Market cap | $2.82B | $234.97M |
| 1-day change | +0.44% | +0.12% |
| YTD return | +4.78% | -3.55% |
| 1-year return | -2.05% | -24.19% |
| 5-year return | -25.59% | -53.38% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.45 | 81.60 |
| Forward P/E | 16.58 | 62.77 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.23 | $0.10 |
| Dividend yield | 2.79% | 3.75% |
| Annual dividend | $1.27 | $0.306 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $963.70M | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.41% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $128.21M | — |
| Operating margin | 17.68% | — |
| Net margin | 13.30% | — |
| 52-week high | $53.82 | $11.07 |
| 52-week low | $41.29 | $6.55 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -15.27% | -26.29% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.87% | +26.23% |
| Average volume | 479.24K | 92.90K |
| Shares outstanding | 61.84M | 28.80M |
| Employees | 1,336 | 126 |
| Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| Industry | Water Supply | Water Supply |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- California Water Service Group is about 12.0 times larger than Global Water Resources by market value ($2.82B vs $234.97M).
- CWT has outperformed GWRS by 22.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Global Water Resources trades at a higher earnings multiple (81.6x vs 20.4x trailing P/E).
About California Water Service Group
CWT stock →California Water Service Group, through its subsidiaries, provides water utility and other related services in California, Washington, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Texas. It is involved in the production, purchase, storage, treatment, testing, distribution, and sale of water for domestic, industrial, public, and irrigation uses, as well as for fire protection services.
Utilities · Water Supply · 1,336 employees
About Global Water Resources
GWRS stock →Global Water Resources, Inc., a water resource management company, owns, operates, and manages regulated water, wastewater, and recycled water systems in metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. It serves approximately 121,000 people in approximately 40,000 homes.
Utilities · Water Supply · 126 employees
CWT vs GWRS FAQ
Which is bigger, California Water Service Group or Global Water Resources?
California Water Service Group (CWT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $2.82B compared with $234.97M for Global Water Resources (GWRS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CWT or GWRS?
CWT returned -2.05% over the past 12 months, compared with -24.19% for GWRS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CWT or GWRS?
CWT has the lower trailing P/E at 20.4, versus 81.6 for GWRS. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, California Water Service Group or Global Water Resources?
Global Water Resources has the higher yield at 3.75%, compared with 2.79% for California Water Service Group.
Are California Water Service Group and Global Water Resources in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Water Supply industry within the Utilities sector.